Kids enjoy Lilburn’s Splash Pad. Photos provided.
By Jenny Simpkins
City Manager of Lilburn
LILBURN, Ga. | What does it mean to say that the City of Lilburn has awakened?
Simpkins
For the Mayor and City Council, combined with like-minded stakeholders, it means the city has a focused vision, the wisdom to apply the right tools at the right time, values its partnerships and understands finite resources and finances.
Simply put, we in Lilburn envision a vibrant city where businesses prosper, safety is a lifestyle and families enjoy life together in a community that, it is hoped, spans generations.
Development continues to surge in Lilburn’s Tax Allocation District. Some projects to note include the completion of the first phase of 80 townhomes at Main Street Townes at Lilburn; 68 age-restricted duplex units in Cottages at Noble Village; and 54 townhomes in Old Town.
Downtown Lilburn
To date, the most transformative concept in the town’s history may be the Railroad Avenue project. The commercial and residential plan, a prime example of public and private partnerships, will transform a former industrial fabrication and storage site into an active hub of new housing choices, restaurants and attractions along with connected public space to Old Town.
- Railroad Avenue Extension: The city has dedicated $8.2 million in 2023 SPLOST and TAD funds to connect Railroad Avenue to Terry Lane with improved streetscapes. This will provide an important route into and out of Old Town Lilburn. The importance of this connector project has been recognized by Gov. Brian Kemp, who announced last month that Lilburn will receive a $4.7 million state loan for its funding.
- 57 Railroad Avenue: The Downtown Development Authority and restaurateur Jennifer Tiberia plan to redevelop the site as a restaurant/ brewery/entertainment hub. Details are being negotiated.
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Lilburn Greenway
Luxury apartments: The city has partnered with private developer RangeWater Real Estate to construct 275 luxury apartments on the grounds of the industrial fabrication and storage site.
- Public/private parking deck: Additionally, the Downtown Development Authority has partnered with RangeWater to build a parking deck with roughly 700 spaces – 400 private and 300 public spaces. The deck will serve the apartment dwellers as well as visitors to Old Town, home to the popular City Park, Camp Creek Greenway and seasonal Splash Pad.
In short, investors see more than metal and warehouses on Railroad Avenue. So do city leaders. We know that strategic locations create unique public spaces. It is the hope of the Mayor and City Council that our housing, shopping and dining options continue to prosper, with new additions. The multi-faceted Railroad Avenue project will serve as the catalyst for future development and investment.
- Have a comment? Send to: elliott@brack.net
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